Suns’ Kevin Durant Slams Back Charles Barkley’s Comment “Not A leader”
Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns replies to Charles Barkley’s remarks on his leadership. The former NBA player delivered some pointed critiques of Durant’s team-leading abilities during the All-Star game. The standout forward expressed his disapproval of Barkley’s remarks during their team practice earlier.
Suns’ Kevin Durant Slams Back Charles Barkley’s Comment “Not A leader”
After participating in the 73rd All-Star game, which was held in Indianapolis, Indiana, KD is returning from an All-Star break. For his 14th All-Star game, he donned the Western Conference All-Stars uniform. Durant had the opportunity to unwind with some of the league’s top players and take in the spectacle even though their team didn’t win.
In response to Barkley’s accusation that Durant is “a follower” and “not a leader,” Durant reacted on Wednesday.
Kevin Durant vs. the Warriors in 2014:
54 Points
6 Assists
4 Rebounds
68% FGPure buckets. 🥶
(via @ThrowbackHoops)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 22, 2024
In an interview, Durant, 35, shared his thoughts on his position in the league with Rich Kleiman, his agent, and Boardroom, which he owns.
“I don’t feel like I want people to call me a leader,” Durant said. “But I also don’t want people to say I’m not one either because they don’t see what goes on behind the scenes of what I talk about or my intentions or relationships that I’ve built with my teammates and my support staff.
“I’m not as charismatic as my peers; I don’t have a personality that’s fit for TV like my peers. You’ve got to sell what you’re doing as well, and I haven’t sold it enough. I don’t feel like I need to. I don’t feel like I need people to call me a leader, but I also don’t feel like I want people to say I’m not one, either.”
Kevin Durant on Russell Westbrook:
When he's retired, people gonna really tell the truth about how they feel about his game. Right now, it's a fun thing to do to make a joke out of Russ
Chris Paul added:
I feel like the only people who do that too is the people that don't… pic.twitter.com/UZEcuzleeE
— Beastbrook (@Beastbr00k0) February 16, 2024
As usual, Durant didn’t let it pass and gave his thoughts on what Barkley had to say.
“I just feel like a lot of people that’s on TV that don’t ever come to the gym, don’t ever comes to games, it’s hard for him to speak on what I do when they not in here,” Durant said.
“It’s just part of TV. They needed something to fill a segment up. So they talk about some negative s**t, but if you’re not in the gym, I don’t respect your opinion if you’re not in the gym with me.”
The top scorers of this last decade:
1. LeBron James – 19,550
2. Kevin Durant – 19,445
3. James Harden – 18,627
4. Russell Westbrook – 17,603Kobe Bryant in the hardest decade to score in modern NBA history – 21,550 pic.twitter.com/huOyTDiPVG
— NBAinthezone™️ (@NBAinthezone) February 21, 2024
Barkley stated that he thinks guard Devin Booker is the Suns’ leader this season since Durant hasn’t stepped up during truTV’s alternative coverage of the All-Star Game on Sunday.
With a 33–22 record, the Suns are ranked sixth in the Western Conference. On Thursday, they will take the court one more when they play the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center.
This season, Durant has the opportunity to disprove Barkley. With three All-Stars who are in the peak of their careers, the Suns are a competitive squad. Perhaps his detractors will stop bothering him if he leads Phoenix to a championship victory.
Kevin Durant on Team USA 1v1s this summer who he’s ready to play, “obviously LeBron is gonna wanna play”🤭, Kawhi/Kyrie/Steph/PG/Ant/Book/Tatum.. “Joel…. Nah idk about Joel” 😂
But all yall favorite players getting belt this summer pic.twitter.com/PEaria8CFA
— 𝐇𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 ✰ (@Hatedzs) February 20, 2024
This season, Durant has the opportunity to disprove Barkley. With three All-Stars who are in the peak of their careers, the Suns are a competitive squad. Perhaps his detractors will stop bothering him if he leads Phoenix to a championship victory.
What is Kevin Durant’s efficiency rating?
Over his career, Kevin Durant has a PER of 25.2.
How many scoring titles does Kevin Durant have?
Before becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in 2023, LeBron James earned the scoring championship in 2008. In 2010, Kevin Durant became the youngest champion in scoring. Three more victories followed in 2011; 2012; and 2014.
How you feel about Kevin Durant verse? pic.twitter.com/qt0LM54qg3
— O.T.G (@365OTG) February 16, 2024
Is KD the greatest scorer of all time?
In Friday’s 119-111 loss against the Denver Nuggets, Kevin Durant rose to the tenth spot on the NBA’s all-time scoring record. During the game, Durant scored thirty points to surpass NBA legend Moses Malone and raise his career point total to 27,423.
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